In recent seasons, the Philadelphia 76ers star, James Harden, has fallen very hard from grace. He used to be one of the best players in the league, consistently putting up 40-point games in his prime. But now he is like a shadow of his former self and is nowhere near his past performance.
Harden has been at odds with his current team for a significant amount as he reportedly skipped the training camp but took part in pregame workouts. It looks like the situation between him and the 76ers is getting more complicated as he will not be playing against the Blazers in an upcoming match.
Why is James Harden on the bench but still not playing?
It has been reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic that James Harden is expected to be present at the Philadelphia 76ers’ home opening game. He will be joining the team on the bench, but there are no reports of him playing in the match against the Blazers. The reason for his non-participation is not made clear, but the common speculative reason would be his strained relationship with the team management.
Harden has a very complicated relationship with the 76ers; he did not attend the training camp in August but was part of the few pregame workouts ahead of some matches. The events that ensued after Harden requested a trade have left fans confused about his status with the team. This strained relationship may be the reason for Harden’s non-participation in matches for now.
Is James Harden’s feud with 76ers Over?
James Harden’s feud with the 76ers is far from over and it looks like it will only be getting worse. The original reason for this feud is hard to pinpoint, but it may be based on several factors. Harden values himself as a key player on a team and expects to be treated accordingly. However, with the 76ers, Joel Embiid has gained more prominence and value, which likely led to Harden’s request for a trade.
Another reason for this feud may be the disappointment that Harden feels regarding the team’s performance. The 76ers were unable to advance to the second round of the playoffs in 2023, even with him and Embiid on the roster. Lastly, there may be a sense of frustration that Harden feels towards the 76ers, as he has clearly expressed his displeasure with the owner, Daryl Morey, and the 76ers’ front office’s inability to find a trade offer for him, despite his request for a trade dating back to June.
The reason for this feud can also be the collection of all the problems Harden has with the 76ers, whatever it may be it’s highly unlikely that he will spend the entire season in Philadelphia as there are rumors of the Clippers knocking on the 76ers’ door.
What do you think of James Harden’s non-involvement in the games? Where do you think Harden will end up? Let us know down in the comments section.
